Bridgend (Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr)
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The River Leven is a stretch of water in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, flowing from Loch Lomond in the North to the River Clyde in the South. Quoted from Wikipedia.
The Old Bridge (Welsh: Yr Hen Bont) is a medieval two arched stone footbridge that spans the River Ogmore at Bridgend in Wales. It is not known who designed or built the bridge, however it was built in approximately 1425. The bridge was repaired in 1775 and restored both in 2005 and 2011. The bridge is a scheduled ancient monument and a grade II* listed bridge.
The Old Bridge replaced an earlier medieval structure spanning the River Ogmore. The name of Bridgend in Welsh is Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, which means "the head of the bridge on the Ogmore". Pilgrims would have used the bridge to cross the River Ogmore on their way to St David's Cathedral.
The River Ogmore (Welsh: Afon Ogwr) is a river that is popular with anglers. It runs generally from north to south from the Ogmore Vale and Gilfach Goch, past Bridgend and Ogmore. The River Ogmore rises at Craig Ogwr (527 m) in the Ogmore Valley as the Ogwr Fawr before it links with the Ogwr Fach at Blackmill. The River Llynfi, the River Garw and finally the River Ewenny in its estuary are all tributaries of the Ogmore which flows into the sea between Ogmore-by-Sea and the Merthyr Mawr sand-dunes.
Bridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough of Wales, 32 kilometres west of Cardiff and 32 kilometres east of Swansea. The town is named after the medieval bridge over the River Ogmore. The River Ewenny also flows through the town. The population was 49,597 in 2021. Bridgend is within the Cardiff Capital Region which in 2019 had a population of approximately 1.54 million.
Historically a part of Glamorgan, Bridgend has greatly expanded in size since the early 1980s – the 2001 census recorded a population of 39,429 for the town.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Bridge,_Bridgend
The M4 motorway near Bridgend is a vital artery of transport, linking communities and facilitating commerce across regions. This stretch of road has seen its fair share of events that have impacted traffic flow and safety. Notably, the area between Junction 36 Sarn and Junction 35 Pencoed has been the site of several incidents, including collisions that have necessitated road closures and caused significant delays. These events underscore the importance of road safety and the need for constant vigilance by all road users. The M4 is monitored by CCTV cameras, providing live updates to help manage traffic and respond to incidents swiftly. The strategic placement of these cameras along the motorway aids in maintaining a smooth flow of vehicles and ensuring the safety of travellers. Moreover, the M4 serves as a crucial link for local economies, connecting businesses with markets and enabling the efficient movement of goods and people. The motorway's design and infrastructure are continually assessed to accommodate increasing traffic volumes and to enhance user experience.
The dip here is the Ogmore Valley where a 373 metre viaduct crosses the Ogmore River. The River Ogmore, known in Welsh as Afon Ogwr, is a notable waterway in South Wales that has played a significant role in the region's natural and human history. Originating from the Ogmore Vale and flowing through towns like Bridgend before reaching the Bristol Channel, the river has been a focal point for communities over the centuries. Historically, the Ogmore's banks have witnessed the rise and fall of industries, particularly coal mining, which left an indelible mark on the landscape and the river's health. In recent years, concerted efforts have been made to revitalize the Ogmore, improving water quality and restoring its reputation as a haven for wildlife and a popular spot for anglers. The river's levels are closely monitored, with the usual range at Bridgend being between 0.25m and 1.27m, which it maintains 90% of the time, indicating a stable ecosystem. The highest level recorded was 2.46m in February 2020, a testament to the river's dynamic nature and the importance of ongoing environmental management. The River Ogmore's journey from its source to the sea is a testament to the resilience of nature and the value of preserving such natural resources for future generations.
Well, steel slabs TO Port Talbot!
These were imported via Roath Dock at Cardiff, the train being the 6B81 16.05 Cardiff Docks to Margam.
The blast furnaces are being closed so virgin steel has to be imported - a sad state of affairs.
The remains of a castle on Newcastle Hill (imho one of the nicest streets in Bridgend, if not the nicest) are being looked after by CADW, there are no tickets but the gate is shut at 5.00pm. And it's closed on weekends, which doesn't seem very reasonable from potential tourist's point of view. Considering amount of empty bottles, the castle is a favourite place for local youth to have a good time.
There's not much of a castle left, but its remains can still give a general knowledge of how it looked in the past. And it has a great location, on the top of the hill, overlooking Bridgend. Recently the council decided to expose the castle and St. Illtyd's church a bit more by cutting surrounding trees out; which I supposed was a good idea. Take a look up on your way to small Tesco.. :)
The Newcastle Hill street is well worth to visit. Apart from lovely old cottages there's St. Illtyd's church and two old graveyards (one of them located opposite to the church in a little square behind the bushes).
more info: freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~waggy/newcastle....